edwin andrews



g (iIo Model.) 1

A. E. ANDREWS.

ELBGTRIG SWITCH.

No. 397,826. Patented Feb. 12, 1889..

N PETERS, Phomumo m lmr. Washinghzn. nvc

lINrrE STATES PATENT A. EDIVIN ANDREVS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE I. CORNXVALL, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 397,826, dated Februar y 12, 1889.

Application filed June 18, 1888- Serial No. 277,420. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, A. EDWIN ANDREWS, of I'Iartford, Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

' Hyinvention relates to the class of switches which are used-for cutting on and off incandescent lamps; and the object of the inven- IO tion is to provide a switch for such a purpose which shall be cheap and simple in construction, easily and quickly operated, durable, and that will effect a perfect connection each time it is cut in to join the lamp in the circuit.

I 5 Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side view showing the switch open. Fig. 2 is aside view showing the switch closed. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same with the cover in place. Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section on plane denoted by line so :0 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a view in vertical section of the switch-block on a plane at right angles to that taken in Fig. 5, showing the lever in edge view.

- 5 In the drawings, (I represents the base,which is a circular disk of wood or a piece of any suitable non-conducting material.

I) and 0 denote metallic connections, one end of which is connected by bin din g-screws to the 0 wires 13 and n, which pass under and through the base from and to the source of electrical supply, while the other end of the connections is bent upward and forms the brushes d and 6 denote similar pieces, which connect the brushes (1 c with the wires 1) n, which run to the leads of the lamp.

The brushes 1) and c are forked or made of two strips of metal, and between these are pivoted the metallic connections f and g, which are united by the non-conductin g block h, and are so hung on the pivots that they will swing between the faces of the brushes d and e, which are preferably upright strips of copper, to complete the circuit, or to swing away from said brushes to open the circuit and cut out the lamp.

k denotes a bent lever, which is pivoted between ears on the block I, that is secured in the bottom of a socket in the upper face of the base. The standing portion of the lever, after passing through aslot in the block hand a slot in the cover T, which incloses the mech-- anism of the switch, terminates in a handle,

[0, while seated on the other end of the lever is the spiral spring on, which in its normal condition just occupies the space between the said end of the lever and the block. 77., and to these the ends of the spring are secured.

0 are lugs attached to each side of the lever 7.", that project outward to nearly the width of the slot in the block 71. j I

s are pins which project toward the lever from the inside of the slot through the block.

The letter 2 denotes a stop fastened to the base, and, projecting upward, terminates in a hook, which overlies the block and limits the upward movement of the latter.

' tis a thin metallic disk, which is loosely supportedon the lever in such manner as to cover the opening through the cover 7" and exclude dirt and moisture, which mightptherwise enter and obstruct the operation of the switch. When the lever is in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4t, 5, and 6, the block h is tilted downward, and the connections f and g are in contact with the sides and bottom of the brushes (1 and c, the switch is closed, and the lamp is joined in the circuit.

In order to cut off the lamp, the lever 70 is So turned to the opposite side of the switch, as shown in Fig. 1. This compresses the spring between the lever and the block, which throws the block and its connections upward and out of contact with the brushes (1 and e. It will be noticed, however, that as the lever is moved and the spring compressed the pins 3, fast to the block, catch under the lugs 0 on the lever and hold the switch-block from movement until the lever has reached a certain po- 0 sition and the spring is compressed to a certain degree. Then the pins slip past the lugs and allow the block to tilt suddenly under the gathered tension of the spring.

\Vhen the switch is opened and is being closed, the pins 3 catch 011 the top of the lugs 0 and prevent the block from tilting down ward until the spring has reached a certain tension. In this case,however, it is a pulling tension of the spring that draws the block I00 down,while in the former case it was the compression of the spring that forced it upward. The movement of the switch-block is entirely dependent on the lever. llut one spring is used, and this has first a pull and then a push, so is not liable to lose its elasticity, as would a spring always 't'orced in the same direction. Thus the act ion is positive, and not; liable to become impaired by use. i

By storing up the force of the spring until i a certain amount gained the connection 5 may be made almost instantl van essential characteristic-and with coi'isiderable force, to insure perfect contact between the parts and grind out sand and dirt that; might get be tween the brushes.

I claim as my intention 1 1. In combination Wllillllllellclfilll-tl0sCYllJ0tl i switch, the tilting switch-block with a central perforation, from the walls 01' which perforation project pins, a lever passing through the perforation, and bearing lugs that during part of the movement of the lever come in contact with the pins on the block and prevent the latter from movement, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

In combination, in theherein-described switch, the tilting switch-block pivoted to one set of brushes and adapted to be tilted into contact with other-brushes by means of a bent lever, one end of which terminates in a handle, while the other supports a spring whose upper end is attached to the switclrbloelc, sul stantiall5 as described.

3. In combination with theherein-deseribed switch, the tilting switch-block with a central pert'm'at'ion, from the walls of which perforat'ion ,rro'cct 3ins abentlevcroassin throu 'h the portfort-ition, and bearing lugs that during a portion of the movement of the lever come in contact with the pins on the block and prevent the latter from movement, and a. spring interposed between the end of the lever and the tilting block, substantially as described,

' and for the purpose specified.

4. In combination, base a, (Ol'lllUCl'lOllS b 1;, bearing brushes Z) 0, connections f and g, pivoted to brushes 5 0', block h, bearing pins 5', lever 7., bearing lugs 0, spring; 972, attached to the lever and block, connections (6 and (2, bearing brushes (1 and 0, stop 1', cover 0', and storm-protector i, substantially as specified,

[ and for the purpose (lOSCl'll'lCtl. 

